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Mattingly, Dodgers stay focused on prep work

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With expectations sky-high after the radical upgrade of the roster, the Dodgers held their first full-squad workout on a sunny Saturday at Camelback Ranch.

Manager Don Mattingly tried to thread the needle in his initial address, striking a balance between fulfilling raised expectations while not pressing to accomplish it.

"We talked about Spring Training and what we have to do to get ready, and deal with what we have to deal with -- the expectations and our situation and what to count on," Mattingly said. "These guys are big boys, they know what they're doing."

Mattingly repeated that the expectations and outside preoccupation with chemistry is just "noise" to him.

"Expectations don't have anything to do with what we need to do to do it," he said. "The way I hear it, we're starting with the roof. You better put the foundation down first.

"The expectations, the noise is going to be there. Let's make sure we keep the focus on what we have to do to get ready for this year."